Shala is a tribe and region of northern Albania in the valley of the river Shalë. Results of historical and archaeological research confirm the claim of oral histories that ancestors of Shala came to the valley several centuries ago. Shala are considered as related to Kuci tribe because their ancestors came to Albania from the region of Kuci (modern day Montenegro). In fact the origin of the name is derived from another Albanian language word , meaning infertile land. The religion of the tribe was Catholic while the tribe had around 3,000 members at the end of 19th century.